AP Calculus AB (2007-08)

A window through the walls of our classroom. This is an interactive learning ecology for students and parents in my AP Calculus class. This ongoing dialogue is as rich as YOU make it. Visit often and post your comments freely.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The exam is over and we did a little survey in class. The results are below; 7 students participated. If you'd like to add another comment on what you see here email me or leave a comment below this post.

Without any further ado, here are the results of our class's survey. Please share your thoughts by commenting (anonymously if you wish) below .....

Classroom EnvironmentThe questions in this section were ranked using this 5 point scale:

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

1

2

3

4

5

The bold numbers after each item are the average ratings given by the entire class.

1. The teacher was enthusiastic about teaching the course. 4.86

2. The teacher made students feel welcome in seeking help in/outside of class. 4.71

3. My interest in math has increased because of this course. 4.14

4. Students were encouraged to ask questions and were given meaningful answers. 4.57

5. The teacher enhanced the class through the use of humour. 4.43

6. Course materials were well understood and explained clearly by the teacher. 4.29

Developing Expert Voices project (2)Falling behind due to the fast progress of other classmatesNot being able to do homework in classThe wiki solutions manualLectures were not visual enoughWhen substitute teachers wouldn't let us talk to each other

What changes would you suggest to improve the way this course is taught?

Return tests more quicklyGo over solutions to every test question alwaysGive regular "marks updates" so I know when I need to invest a lot or a little effortCancel the Developing Expert Voices projectMore practice work for home posted to the blogCancel the wiki assignmentSlower explanations that hit all key pointsTell students how fast their Developing Expert Voices dues dates creep up on themMore group learning, I learned a lot in groupsHave a review class every couple of units

It's interesting to compare the items that were considered both the worst and best learning experiences. Also, take a look at the list of worst learning experiences compared to suggestions for next year. Help me do a better job next year by commenting on what you see here ....

Thanks to all our listeners. We might get one more published during this school year but this may be the last until September. In any case feel free to let us know your thoughts about what you heard; every comment is appreciated.

In this episode of Student Voices Justice, Lawrence, and Richard talk about how they put together their Developing Expert Voices project and what they learned in the process: how they they best learn math, how it can best be taught, and many other incidental things like team work and organizational skills.

They have titled their project with one of my favourite reminders to all my students: Mathematics is the Science of Patterns. If you watch any of the video content they created you'll hear several "in jokes", listen for them. Without any further ado, here is the podcast. A copy of the poster they made for their work is below.

Monday, May 12, 2008

In this episode of Student Voices three Advanced Placement Calculus students, Chris, Craig, and Graeme, talk about a wiki assignment they did to prepare for the exam. Then the conversation transitions to a discussion of the many things they learned while doing their Developing Expert Voices project. It ends with a challenge, the result of which will be featured in a future podcast.

Let Chris, Craig, and Graeme know what you thought about the podcast by leaving a comment here on this post.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

In this episode Timothy came back to school on Friday afternoon to talk about his week attending the miniUniversity program at the University of Winnipeg. He talks about the differences he finds between teaching and learning at high school and university and describes learning in the university classroom using a thought provoking metaphor, listen for it. Also, we have a cameo appearance by two very special people at the very end.